Tragedy struck on a Parisian street. It was August 20 1944. This is the story of Rue Roger Mordrel. Or rather the story of the young man who gives the street its name. Roger Mordrel a butcher’s son was just 19 years old. He was riding his bicycle on Rue de Lyon in Paris. German soldiers stopped him and his brother Henri. They were taken to the Gare de Lyon metro station. There they were shot. Roger died instantly. Henri miraculously survived. He played dead while the soldiers left. He escaped.
This horrific event took place near the Gare de Lyon. It wasn’t on Rue Roger Mordrel itself. This street however honors the memory of a young life lost during the dark days of World War II. The Alfortville municipal council decided to rename Rue des Jardins. It became Rue Roger Mordrel on November 19 1944. The name is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of a young man. It was a sacrifice made in the shadow of a war. It is a memorial etched into the fabric of Alfortville’s streets.
Roger’s parents owned a butcher shop at 155 Rue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier in Alfortville. They lived at 115 Rue de Villeneuve. The family’s life was shattered by the tragedy. The story of Roger’s death is not just about a single event. It also exemplifies the countless tragedies suffered by civilians. These innocent people were caught up in the brutality of war.
We stand here on a street named for a young victim. Rue Roger Mordrel is a reminder of the past. The past should not be forgotten. This young man’s story is one we must never forget. It is a poignant reminder of the cost of war. This cost is measured in lives lost and families torn apart. It is a solemn tribute to someone whose life ended too soon. The street carries on his memory. The street carries on his story. Let us remember Roger. Let us remember his sacrifice. Let us remember the horrors of war.